The question has remained on everyone’s lips since the start of the season, Fabianski or Areola, who deserves to start for the Hammers?
Lukasz Fabianski has been an absolute rock at the back for West Ham United since his move from Swansea. From elegant stops to extraordinary saves, Fabianski’s experience has shone throughout his performances.
However the Poland international is coming towards the end of his career and at the age of 36, we may see the Hammer’s number one spot handed over to the much more modern, Alphonse Areola.
The Frenchman had an impressive season last year in the Premier League, boasting satisfactory statistics that lead him to being pinched by West Ham United after Fulham were relegated.
With the ability to throw a precise long ball critical for launching counterattacks, Areola brings something different to the table that Fabianksi has failed to offer for a while now.
Stats Talk
It can often be frustrating watching Fabianski in goal for West Ham as he appears to lack the confidence to throw out the ball to one of his attackers after collecting it.
The Polish international tends to dawdle on the ball thus squandering several opportunities to break, usually opting for an old-fashioned 40+ yard hoof up towards Michail Antonio, resulting in countless turnovers in possession.
Areola had 19 more throw outs compared to Fabianski in last season and while it may not seem like a big difference, with players like Benrahma, Fornals and Bowen ready for a counterattack, Areola’s attacking mindset would certainly translate into goals for West Ham.
Rising East has examined the goalkeeping statistics from the 2020/2021 season in order to determine the superior shot-stopper. It is worth noting that Areola featured in one more game for the Cottagers than Fabianski did for the Hammers.
Clean Sheets
It can be misleading to analyse defensive statistics when comparing goalkeepers as a lot of the numbers relate to the defence as a whole and not just individual performance.
For example, 10 clean sheets for Lukasz Fabianski compared to Alphonse Areola’s nine may seem like a win for the Pole.
However, Areola was playing for a recently promoted Championship side who are known to be leaky at the back, whereas Fabianski was in net for a team that competes in Europe and are famous for their solidity in defence.
While this not meant to undermine Fabianski’s performances, it does highlight the impressive nature of Areola’s clean sheets and how much tougher they were to earn.
Goals Conceded
Analysing the goals conceded statistic should also be taken with a pinch of salt, as again, the defence as a whole has an impact on this figure.
It is very rare that a goalkeeper is at fault for every single goal that is conceded during a game.
You’d be forgiven for assuming that Areola’s 48 goals conceded may seem extremely poor compared to Fabianski’s 44, however the Frenchman did impressively well considering he faced 22 more shots on target and there was only a four-goal margin to split the two.
Saves
Lukasz Fabianski has an astonishing highlight reel of saves and stops since his arrival at the London Olympic Stadium, and while he made an impressive 103 saves last year, it wasn’t enough to better his backup, Alphonse Areola.
The 28-year-old made an outstanding 116 saves for Fulham ranking him fifth highest out of all the Premier League goalkeepers last season.
Who deserves the number one spot?
Standing at 195cm, Areola is five centimetres taller than his teammate and has only conceded one goal from the five games he has played so far in the Europa League and Carabao Cup so far this season.
While those numbers may not be enough to dislodge Fabianski from the number one spot, it would be hard to see the veteran retain his position if West Ham are serious about keeping Areola at the club.
The Frenchman has been out on loan since the day he signed his professional contract with Paris Saint Germain thus prohibiting him from finding a secure spot where he can build himself into the team and flourish.
David Moyes will be well aware of his first choice shot-stopper’s age and knows this season is the perfect time to start the transition towards a modern goalkeeper.
main images credit: c: (left) soccer.ru Светлана Бекетова (right) Sandro Halank, Wikimedia Commons
